Moutan Bark Extract Powder

Moutan Bark Extract Powder is produced from the dried root bark of tree peony, commercially identified as Paeonia suffruticosa and traditionally known as Moutan Cortex or Mu Dan Pi. It is supplied as a concentrated brown botanical powder for supplement, formulation, and ingredient-sourcing projects requiring a clearly defined root-bark material.

The primary commercial specification is a 10:1 botanical extract with an 80–100 mesh particle range and slightly water-soluble behavior. The ratio identifies botanical concentration rather than the percentage of an individual phytochemical, distinguishing this ingredient from marker-standardized Moutan extracts and purified compounds.

Ingredient Profile & Common Uses

Moutan Cortex is obtained specifically from dried tree-peony root bark. Current botanical taxonomy recognizes Paeonia × suffruticosa Andrews, while Paeonia suffruticosa remains widely used in ingredient and commercial documentation. The plant part and botanical identity distinguish this material from white peony root derived from Paeonia lactiflora, peony flower ingredients, and isolated phytochemicals.

The 10:1 ratio is the principal commercial grade for this ingredient. It represents a concentrated multi-component botanical extract rather than a marker-standardized material. This distinction is useful for procurement teams comparing conventional Moutan Cortex extracts with products purchased against a defined phytochemical assay or compound purity specification.

The material is supplied as a fine light-brown-to-brown powder with limited aqueous solubility. It is best suited to dry formulations and systems where complete dissolution is not required. Particle compatibility, dispersion, blend uniformity, and finished-product appearance are therefore relevant considerations during formulation development.

Application Areas

Botanical Capsules

Suitable for botanical capsule systems where powder flow, blend uniformity, fill consistency, and compatibility with other dry ingredients are important during formulation and production scale-up.

Coated Tablets

The extract can be used in compressed botanical tablets, with development work focused on excipient compatibility, compression behavior, content uniformity, and management of natural color.

Multi-Botanical Powder Blends

Moutan root-bark extract can be incorporated into multi-ingredient botanical blends. Effective premixing and compatible particle distributions help reduce segregation during handling, filling, and packaging.

Sachets and Dispersible Powders

Dry sachets and powder systems can use the ingredient where dispersion rather than full dissolution is acceptable. Wetting behavior and visible sediment should be evaluated during development.

Cosmetic Formulation Projects

The extract may be evaluated in botanical cosmetic systems where formulators need to consider dispersion, natural color contribution, vehicle compatibility, and appropriate ingredient documentation.

Typical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Product Name	Moutan Bark Extract Powder
Commercial Botanical Source	Paeonia suffruticosa
Accepted Botanical Name	Paeonia × suffruticosa Andrews
Plant Part	Dried root bark
Common Trade Names	Moutan Cortex · Mu Dan Pi · Tree Peony Bark
Ingredient Type	Botanical ratio extract
Primary Specification	10:1
Product Form	Powder
Appearance	Light brown to brown powder
Particle Size	80–100 mesh
Moisture	≤5.0%
Water Behavior	Slightly water-soluble; may form a cloudy dispersion
Country of Origin	China
Shelf Life	Typically 24 months under recommended storage conditions

Key Constituents & Extract Profile

Moutan Cortex contains phenolic constituents together with monoterpene glycosides. Paeonol is one of the characteristic phenolic compounds associated with the root bark, while paeoniflorin and related glycosides contribute to its broader phytochemical profile.

The commercial extract ratio and phytochemical assay describe different properties. A 10:1 designation reflects botanical concentration and does not indicate 10% paeonol or establish a fixed concentration of another individual constituent.

Where a project requires marker standardization, quantitative analysis can be performed using an agreed chromatographic method such as HPLC. A standardized botanical extract should therefore be treated separately from a conventional ratio extract, while high-purity paeonol represents a distinct phytochemical ingredient rather than a stronger version of the same powder.

Technical & Quality Considerations

Identity evaluation should verify tree-peony root-bark material and maintain an analytical profile consistent with Moutan Cortex. TLC or chromatographic fingerprinting can support botanical authentication. Quantitative HPLC serves a different purpose when a purchasing specification includes a defined marker assay, allowing identity testing and marker measurement to remain analytically distinct.

The commercial powder is supplied at 80–100 mesh with moisture controlled to ≤5.0%. Its natural brown color and limited water solubility influence finished-product appearance and processing behavior. In aqueous systems, the material may form haze or sediment, making suspension stability and visual performance more relevant than complete dissolution.

During scale-up, R&D teams should evaluate premixing sequence, powder flow, blend homogeneity, filling performance, and compression behavior where applicable. Multi-botanical blends should be checked for segregation when component densities or particle distributions differ. For dispersible formats, wetting, suspension behavior, sediment formation, and final appearance should be assessed using representative production samples.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply Item	General Information
Sample	Available upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities	100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead Time	Typically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead Time	Typically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
Packaging	Suitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
Storage	Store in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
Documentation	COA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.